Inside the nucleus: Interview with Dr Marta Russo

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We are delighted to introduce Dr Marta Russo, who will be joining the Biomedical Center (BMC) of LMU Munich this summer as a research group leader. Dr Russo's laboratory will focus on the intriguing interplay between nuclear metabolism and gene regulation. In this interview, she shares insights into her research focus and extends an invitation to prospective team members.

Dr Russo, welcome to the BMC. Could you give us an overview of your research focus?

Thank you, I’m really happy to join the BMC! My research focuses on understanding how metabolism in the nucleus can affect gene activity. For over a century, metabolic pathways have been studied almost exclusively in the mitochondria. But we now know that some metabolic enzymes also localize to the nucleus, and this opens up completely new perspectives. One key example is the production of acyl-CoA molecules, which are not just metabolic intermediates, but also critical cofactors for histone modifications. These modifications, in turn, shape how genes are expressed. During my postdoc, I found that several mitochondrial enzymes involved in acyl-CoA production can also act in the nucleus and interact with the transcriptional machinery. With the support of the Emmy Noether Programme, I'm now setting up my own lab to investigate this further, in particular how nuclear metabolism affects gene regulation. We aim to shed light on a still largely unexplored dimension of gene regulation that could have important implications for cell identity, immune responses, and human disease.

What inspired you to found your group at the BMC?

The BMC really felt like the perfect fit for my research. I’m deeply interested in gene regulation, transcriptional mechanism and chromatin biology, and the BMC brings together top experts in these fields, along with excellent facilities on-site. What has also impressed me is the highly collaborative atmosphere, not only within the BMC, but also with neighboring institutes such as LMU Gene Center, Helmholtz Center and even biotech companies. For example, some of the enzymes we study, like PDH, are linked to genetic metabolic disorders, so being in Munich also means we can more easily connect with clinical researchers.

What fascinates you about your research?

I’ve always been fascinated by the fundamental mechanisms that control how our genes are expressed. During my PhD and postdoc, I became interested in transcriptional regulation from different angles. On one hand, I worked on how cells shut down non-coding transcription, contributing to the identification of the Restrictor complex in mammalian cells. At the same time, I began exploring how transcription is activated, focusing on the Mediator complex and its unexpected interactions with metabolic enzymes. What truly excites me now is the emerging research theme at the intersection of chromatin and metabolism. We’re learning that enzymes traditionally thought to function only in mitochondria can also act in the nucleus, where they produce acyl-CoAs and directly shape chromatin and transcription. This line of research brings together my long-standing fascination with gene regulation and a completely new layer of control. There’s always something new to learn or rethink, and I love how this field keeps challenging the way we understand even the most fundamental processes in cell biology.

What methods will your team employ to explore these mechanisms?

We’ll take a multidisciplinary approach that combines genomics, proteomics, metabolite profiling, and advanced imaging to explore how nuclear metabolic enzymes contribute to transcriptional regulation. We will use macrophages as our principal model system, as they undergo rapid and coordinated changes in transcription and metabolism upon stimulation. In addition to functional studies, we aim to investigate the biochemical and structural organization of key nuclear protein complexes involved in these processes.

What are the biggest challenges in your research field?

One challenge is that many of the enzymes we’re studying are essential for mitochondrial metabolism so it’s tricky to study their role in the nucleus without disrupting their main task in the cell. Also, both the Mediator complex and the metabolic enzymes we work on are very large and dynamic protein assemblies. This makes them difficult to manipulate and study, especially when we want to capture their behavior in the nucleus. Measuring metabolites in the nucleus, or understanding how they act locally on chromatin, requires also tools and approaches that are still being developed. Despite these challenges, the field is incredibly exciting. There’s still so much to discover, and that sense of exploring something new is what keeps me motivated.

You are currently recruiting for your new research group. What opportunities can new team members expect by joining your group at the BMC?

My goal is to create a lab where people feel supported, inspired, and genuinely happy to do science. Joining my group means being part of a collaborative environment where your ideas matter and where you’ll be encouraged to grow - not just technically, but also as a scientist in the broader sense. Each person will have their own project, but we’ll work closely as a team, sharing challenges and successes. At the same time, team members will benefit from a highly stimulating scientific environment. The BMC offers access to state-of-the-art core facilities and strong ties with experts across molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and more. Being part of this vibrant and international campus also means plenty of opportunities to interact, collaborate, and develop your own scientific network, both locally and beyond. I’ve been lucky to have wonderful mentors, and I want to pass that on. So if you’re curious, motivated, and looking for a place where you can learn, contribute, and be part of a kind and enthusiastic team—this might be the right place for you.

Interested?

The Russo Lab has currently three job offers (PhD, Technician and Postdoctoral positions) available. To learn more, please visit our jobs & career page.